The question mark above appears because about two weeks ago – mid-January – we noticed a cherry tree flowering – a sign of the mild winter we’ve been having.

That Sunday, the 15^th, I photographed it.

The same day the park’s pond was partly frozen over.

Further round the park was evidence of the wild storms we endured recently.

Some conifers had fallen in the area around the fountain – a fountain whose winter spectacle I featured in this post two years ago.

December in Scotland. I might as well be in the Arctic circle.

But it would be worse if the clocks were not turned back for the winter.

At least from today on the nights will brighten earlier (clouds permitting.)

But I’ve been busy on another count. The man in charge of the East Fife programme has asked me to write an article to appear in the issue for our game there next Saturday (27^th Aug) which got me irrationally excited.

I’ve splurged out 1203 words and I’ll need to cut it for publication. So that’s my weekend gone.

(Well I may go to Brechin today but the prospects aren’t good.)

It’s difficult to capture this fountain effect. The timing has to be right.

The sea’s pounding has caused a lot of the Prom’s paviors to come loose. This was a minor example of the holes left behind. Flotsam and jetsam are also everywhere.

Evasive action was required here!

Somehow or other a still photo doesn’t quite capture the moment.

Underneath one of the trees I spotted some snowdrops. It fair cheered me up.

Perhaps winter may be coming to an end.

We had both boys, plus the younger’s girlfriend, with us for a few days. A nice family time. Among other things as presents I got a few more tins for the collection; mainly containing biscuits.

Yesterday I was van driving again, the road and the miles to Dundee. Not to mention humphing furniture flat packs up two flights of stairs at the other end.

I can barely move today.

So there’s not been much time for posting.

There has also been a full scale thaw.

I trust that Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray and high profile Scottish Tory David McCletchie will now be demanding the resignation of the relevant UK Minister as obviously he (or she, I’ve no idea who has that responsibility, if anyone) is to blame for this totally avoidable occurence.

But I can’t quite remember what that might have been.

I was a day too late taking these photos. The trees still had snow on them on Wednesday but I’d forgotten the camera. By Thursday it had fallen off.

I took all these from inside so you can see reflections of lights in the window glass.

This is a view to the main road (all but blocked by abandoned cars for most of the week.) The jannies* had done a great job clearing the car park.

Snow had fallen from the higher roof here onto the lower one causing a lot of damage.

There were some nice icicles hanging around.

The Christmas tree looks a little forlorn here. There is actually a pond in this picture.

A couple of courtyards now. The first has some snow covered pergolas. By Friday all the snow had gone.

*Scottish diminutive for janitor. For those from the south who don’t know what one is a janitor is a caretaker.

Though I must admit I would not have liked to be stranded overnight in a frozen up car…..

It’s Scotland.

It’s winter.

It snows. Vehicles get stuck.

Get over it.

(And have a bit of patience.)